The Able Sea

This local trio’s eponymous debut opens with “Western Dreams,” eyes almost closed, psych organ rolling over Alex Thompson’s daydream vocals. It sets a tone early: The Able Sea is all about keeping things hypnotic, no buildup, just one long thread of melody that stays calm and blue. A distinct 1960s influence, a bit of Sgt. Pepper’s magic seasoning here and there (“Thoughts Undone”), permeates the disc, though the double-hit of standouts “Tell Yourself” and closer “Photographs” shows off the psych muscle that should have been mined more. As much as lilting melodies inform The Able Sea, they also leave the album feeling a bit sluggish. Guitar freak-out midsong? Tempo change? They’re few and far between but would have given the Able Sea’s Sunday morning drift some dynamics.

**.5

This article appears in May 29 • 2009.

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